The rivers have become largely inaccessible from the city and are no longer seen as assets to the city. The city has turned its back on these rivers. In order to cope with these current issues and create a meaningful public realm along the rivers, Pune Municipal Corporation has instigated a comprehensive project - Mula, Mutha and Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project in the entire Pune Municipal corporation area. Pune's Rivers have been degraded over time. This is due to a number of factors: Urbanization along the river - Heavy urbanization in PMC and PCMC areas over the past few decades has led to haphazard urban development along the river. At some locations, the development extends right up to the edge of the river. Construction of Dams - The Mutha and Mula Rivers in Pune have dams in their upstream, controlling the discharge of water into them. Presently, the dams have stopped the flow of water into the rivers, keeping them dry. Release of untreated sewage - Significant Number of Naalas and piped outfalls discharge untreated sewage directly into the rivers, converting the river into a polluted 'drain'. Lack of Access - Pune's rivers are not easily accessible. In the areas that are already developed, there are very few points where one can approach the Rivers. While along most of its length, the banks are lined by private properties making the River inaccessible for citizens. Poor connectivity across the banks - results in the river becoming a barrier that divides the city. All of the above has over a period of time transformed a beautiful river into a polluted drain that the city has turned its back to. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed to cut down 2,600 trees and transplant 2,694 trees for the Rs 5,000-crore Mula-Mutha RFD project. The PMC claims that the trees are hindering the project's development and that it needs to remove them to complete the project successfully. Environmentalists and green activists have criticised the PMC's proposal, saying that it is cruel and will lead to the destruction of an ecosystem. They also pointed out the risks involved in transplanting trees and the low survival rate of transplanted trees. The PMC has gone back on its word as it had earlier promised not to harm any trees in the RFD project, according to environmentalist Sarang Yadwadkar. Transplantation is not a feasible option as the native trees grown in that area only survive in Mediterranean zones, and transplantin